Six months, 38 games. Think that far back, if possible, to Jurgen Klopp's first game in charge of Liverpool.

It was a time of excitement. 'We believe' read one banner in the away end at White Hart Lane; 90 minutes of running, and a first clean sheet in nine games, had a few more on board with that statement.

Klopp hugged Lallana, like an affectionate koala bear. He applauded Emre Can, Divock Origi, Alberto Moreno. He instructed Lucas Leiva to get forward at every opportunity, even when there was little left in the legs.

It is hard not to overstate the occasion, but that goalless draw in London was a piece of history for the football club, a day that would be never be forgotten by those who took part. Future events will dictate just how fondly it will be remembered.

Think back, if possible, to a few days before Klopp travelled down to the capital with his new side.

As he began to welcome back players from international duty, he would experience a traumatic 24 hours. First, Gomez went down innocuously for England Under-21s against Kazakhstan but was soon diagnosed with anterior crucial ligament damage; a day later, in his first training session under Klopp, Ings did the same at Melwood.

One is unfortunate, two is downright cruel.

Cruel for Klopp, deprived of two good players who had shown signs of settling to life on Merseyside quickly.

Cruel for Gomez and Ings, with the duo impressing in their first two months at Anfield and looking set for strong first seasons at the club.

That was a long time ago. Six months, 38 games, no less. Because of that, they have been somewhat forgotten – no reflection on them or their ability, but simply because of football's long-term amnesia.

As Liverpool have travelled across both country and continent, the injured pair have worked relentlessly to get fit ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

With the summer approaching, debate over the make-up of next season's squad has begun.

Danny Ings and Joe Gomez of Liverpool show their appreciation to the fans at the end of the international friendly match between Adelaide United and Liverpool FC at Adelaide Oval on July 20, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

What Ings and Gomez can bring

Even with the arrival of Joel Matip, it is said Liverpool need a young defender capable of being thrust into the frenetic pace of the Premier League.

They already have one.

With the struggles of Christian Benteke, and a general inconsistency in front of goal, it is said Liverpool need an energetic front man, good at pressing from the front, with good finishing ability.

They already have one.

That's not to suggest Gomez and Ings alone are sufficient enough to give Klopp what he needs in the next transfer window.

But nor should their injuries mean they are forgotten, either.

Little chance of that happening with Klopp at the helm, of course. It was telling both players were part of the Tenerife training squad; they are as much in his thoughts as any other player currently fit and available.

So they should be.

Gomez had been a pleasant surprise at the start of this season under Brendan Rodgers and rightfully kept Alberto Moreno out of the team; at 18, he was already starting for Gareth Southgate's England side, and looked comfortable in Liverpool's defence.

Ings, meanwhile, has notched three goals in eight appearances – including the opener in the Merseyside derby – and was a rare bright spot of Rodgers' final games. His form earned him his first England cap, against Lithuania, in October.

Klopp was thought to be a big admirer of Gomez, with Borussia Dortmund interested in signing him last summer, and he would have been under consideration for involvement at Spurs.

The manager had less of a chance to see Ings, who was away on international duty when he first arrived, but he looks the fabled 'Klopp player', a striker with fine movement and relentless work ethic. It is hard to imagine how he will fail to be impressed.

In Gomez, Klopp has a constant improver who can play across the back line; in Ings, a young goalscorer – 23 years old – with plenty of potential.

It might take a while for both to be back to their best, such is the nature of the injuries.

But if they want to impress Klopp, then simply returning is half the battle.

If – and when – they do that, they will give Liverpool a couple of fresh options at both ends of the field.

With a new manager working with them, they could prove to be like new signings.